Blocks Camera features modular design with swappable components

Blocks Camera of California has introduced its Blocks+ multi-functional camera. The Blocks+ features a modular design allowing photographers to swap in components, referred to as 'blocks', for various types of recording like 3D and 360-degree video. The blocks also include battery modules that can be added for extra battery life.

The camera will be offered as two models: the Blocks+, and the Blocks+ H. The Blocks+ model features up to 2k-resolution recording and 10-megapixel stills with a burst mode up to 5fps. The Blocks+ H boosts these numbers, offering up to 4k-resolution recording and 12-megapixel stills with a burst mode up to 10fps. The Blocks+ H includes a WiFi remote, while the Blocks+ model supports it as an optional accessory.

Otherwise the two models are the same, featuring integrated GPS and WiFi, a gyroscope for stability, video-out via a micro HDMI port, a microphone that records 3D stereo audio, up to four lenses, and an internal battery that can be augmented by additional battery blocks. Three shooting modes round out the Blocks+ and Blocks+ H: Action Cam, 3D, and 360. The 3D Mode in particular is achieved using two extension arms to reposition the lenses, which are included with the Blocks+ H model.

Blocks Camera is seeking $200,000 in funding through Kickstarter, where a Blocks+ model is available through a pledge of $350 USD and a Blocks+ H Edition model is available for $450 USD. Depending on your pledge, additional fees may be necessary for the 3D extension arms and a remote control. Shipping is estimated for July 2015.

LOL, too funny! Even after they unwrap it on Christmas day they won't know what it is. You could leave the camera under the tree unwrapped and then Christmas day give them an envelope telling them what it is.

I guess those side lenses (looks like 3 of them) would have to have at least a 120 degree view each to cover the horizontal, while the top lens would need less than 90 degrees if the side lenses are doing their job.

But what is more interesting is that release is listed for July 2015. To me, all the issues would have had to be worked out already and tests done for feasibility studies. I'd like to see the sample images as well. July is around the corner. Now they'd be worrying about production. Sounds like delays to me are going to come.

a 120 mm horizontal coverage is about a 20mm (FF equivalent) lens. But for the software to melt borders, some overlap is due.

In the Kickstarter page, there is no mention of lenses, electronics, sensor sizes, or software. Yet they promise to "finalize design and hardware" for... december? But they also say: "We have been working hard for the last few months preparing for our campaign". So, here is what this project is all about: marketing. There is no real product, just a vague idea and a 3d-printed empty toy. I just hope for the bakers this is not an intended scam, and the "team" will reject the founding explaining it was only a marketing stunt. This, or those people are totally clueless about what developing such a camera means .

So does this mean that everyone can have their combination of viewfinder, flash, control knobs, hotshoe, and fixed/tilting/articulating screen? Because dP commenters should be all over this as the idea camera.

Well, at least unless the total cost with all the selected components comes in over the $250 somebody paid for their Panasonic/Olympus/Fuji (two years after it's initial release) which has all the parts *they* need.

Oops - just read the diagram. Only optical and electronics options. Oh well, maybe next time.

What's with all the hate? If you want 3D, 360 degree and action cam in just one package, it doesn't look like a bad idea or a bad deal. Of course, the 3D capability has dictated the size and shape a bit, by the looks of it, which seems to me to be a bit big for an action cam, but that means you get proper 3D with good separation.

I see all the backers have gone for the HD edition, which makes the most sense in this day and age, I guess. $450 for 4K 3D and 360 degree video capabilities? Doesn't sound too bad to me. Full price of $900 when/if it is brought to the shelves? Still doesn't sound awful. A GoPro Hero 4 is $400, isn't it?

Seven or so years ago, I did an interview with an industrial design PhD researcher who had written a dissertation on conceptual camera design. He came up with several radical ideas, all of them interesting, some unlikely, and one modular such as this. It really drove home the point for me that camera design is indeed locked into a particular trajectory (e.g. In terms of engineering heuristics) that, while effective, is not necessarily optimal. There are different possibilities, and this is one of them. I admit, if I see this, I tend to think "never gonna work", but I'm glad others are more visionary than I. Innovation is an evolutionary process, and projects such as these provide much-needed variation (even if they end up being selected against).

Well said... but I think the "optimal" design is already being addressed - the best camera is the one you have with you. In short, the "miniaturizing" of cameras (think cellphones cams, etc) is and has been prioritized for years. They will get smaller and less obtrusive to the point where we will have camera that we can have with us at all times that might have a zoom lens and whatever is timely and convenient.

3D imagery would not - at least for me - number amongst the important attributes that camera might have.

At least logical step in the evoluton of digital cameras. Most of today's digital cameras are more or less conventional cameras where electronics have replaced film. This is one of the ways to use electronics more creatively. Time will show if this device will be useful. It is like evolution of life. There were several periods of high radiation (many new kinds of species appeared within a reletively short period) but only few of them survived.

Well, I might... and if you'll make that a Sony A7S/A7/A7R instead of a D750 or 5DIII, I'm sold!

Honestly, it seems to be a fairly well thought-out 360-degree/stereo arrangement using compact camera class components. The physical design is quirky, but clever (and their 3D-printed prototype doesn't look too different from things I've 3D-printed to hold Canon PowerShots in my research). The problem is that this is a very niche product, and most people wanting the "systems camera" features will also be wanting really top IQ. If this was built using four copies of the Sony sensor from the A7S, it would be amazing, but it seems more likely it is just yet another quirky multi-compact-camera thing.

The biggest issue I see with the design is that the lens tubes are a bit far apart for 360 capture. The rule is closest object should be about 30X the distance of the offset from a perfect lens position, which I'd estimate in this case means around 8 feet.

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